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Steelers "ways" running on fumes only.

Yup, we got more rings than any other franchise, with much of the Steelers' success being in recent history (as opposed to only being able to point to the 4 Super Bowl wins from the 70s.) And even before our two new rings from the 2000s, we had lots of success throughout the 90s as well (just no rings). We have endless div. wins, play off appearances, etc.

So, all is good in Steeler Nation. The same brain trust that got us to 3 SBs in 6 years, with two rings in that same span, is currently running the ship, so we know we must be in good shape.

Or are we?

As we all know, the draft is the foundation of our success; Pgh will always be one of the least active teams in free agency, which is fine with most of us, as we realize that the team adding the most high profile free agents almost always stink. It's fine to use free agency as the mere "sprinkles on top" and it is a winning formula. The only time it pays to add a high profile free agent is when you need that "one missing piece" to attain another ring.

So, all that being said, how has our drafting been lately, keeping in mind successful drafting means everything to this team? Well, if you ask the Steelers' front office, they are genius at drafting; just ask them. But, the stark reality is, Pgh has NOT been drafting well the last 5 years, and that is starting to show. No longer is it safe to assume the Steelers will draft well, because, well, they haven't been. On the contrary, their last 5 years of drafting has been pretty damn awful. Cowher inherited a lot of solid talent in Woodson, Lloyd, Lake, Foster, Eric Green, O'Donnell (OK, not too great but serviceable for a 3rd-round pick), Justin Strzelczyk, Carlton Haselrig, Dawson, Everett, etc. And then Cowher quickly added some solid talent of his own in Kirkland, Steed, Perry, Figures, Chad Brown, Hastings, Kevin Henry, Bam Morris, Myron Bell, Earl Holmes, Roye, Faneca, Hines Ward, Townsend, Joey Porter, Marvel Smith, Hampton, Kendrell Bell and then more recent talent such as Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, Big Ben, Starks, Heath Miller, etc.

OK, so what has happened since?

2007 wasn't a total waste, with Timmons and Woodley being drafted. And, then, the Steelers' drafting falls off a cliff.

Bottom line, Pgh has NOT been drafting well the last 5 years and the rooster is coming home to roost. As our best talent fades into being old, we have very little to turn to as a way to re-load. How ever this team now drafts, and who ever is making the decisions, they have been sucking wind bad, and we are in trouble, unless last year's draft ends up having lots of hits and they absolutely nail it this year. If not, we are looking at being at the bottom of the division for a few years at least. And it's mostly because they have been awful at drafting in recent history. THAT has to be improved. The facts speak for themselves.

I don't disagree with some of the things you say and I agree the Steelers need a homerun in this upcoming draft....But some of the doom and gloom stuff is over the top.........The Steelers enjoyed a ton of success so we have been lucky especially when you have 20 years and counting of **** by the Pirates....lol I want to see what the Steelers do in this draft before I really comment on the outlook of the 2013 season....Even if the Steelers are on a downward trend then I'm willing to be patient since we have enjoyed great success.....

Re: Steelers "ways" running on fumes only.

I am confused why Cortez Allen is gone? He will be starting with Ike this year. Will Allen signed with Dallas. Now, with that being said, some of your assessments are too harsh, but ok. I still think we are improving our drafting as Tomlin is getting his feet wet. 2008 was a horrible draft, but lets see what happens this year. If the trend is going up, we will be fine.

I don't disagree with some of the things you say and I agree the Steelers need a homerun in this upcoming draft....But some of the doom and gloom stuff is over the top.........The Steelers enjoyed a ton of success so we have been lucky especially when you have 20 years and counting of **** by the Pirates....lol I want to see what the Steelers do in this draft before I really comment on the outlook of the 2013 season....Even if the Steelers are on a downward trend then I'm willing to be patient since we have enjoyed great success.....

No question we have been spoiled due to more success than any other team, period. That being said, I still maintain our drafts the last 5 years have not been very good. I mean, just look at the specifics to who they drafted and it's hard to argue that those drafts were good drafts. And yet, when you read what the top brass says, including Tomlin and Colbert, they seem to think their crap doesn't stink when it comes to drafting. They are high and clueless to have such an attitude. IF last year's draft ends up being productive and they knock it out of the park the next two, Pgh can quickly be back to contending. But, that is a big if. And with Cleveland and Cinci seemingly ending their losing ways, we no longer have 4 easy wins on our schedule. Cinci has been a play off team 2 years in a row, and Cleveland is on a path to getting decent as well.

No question we have been spoiled due to more success than any other team, period. That being said, I still maintain our drafts the last 5 years have not been very good. I mean, just look at the specifics to who they drafted and it's hard to argue that those drafts were good drafts. And yet, when you read what the top brass says, including Tomlin and Colbert, they seem to think their crap doesn't stink when it comes to drafting. They are high and clueless to have such an attitude. IF last year's draft ends up being productive and they knock it out of the park the next two, Pgh can quickly be back to contending. But, that is a big if. And with Cleveland and Cinci seemingly ending their losing ways, we no longer have 4 easy wins on our schedule. Cinci has been a play off team 2 years in a row, and Cleveland is on a path to getting decent as well.

I agree with you about the drafting of late no doubt.......The 2008 and 2009 classes look very bad especially since Wallace and Lewis are both gone now.....

This team needs Heyward, Gilbert, Allen, DeCastro, Adams to develop or those draft classes will look like complete crap to......

I'm just waiting to see what Colbert/Tomlin do this upcoming draft before commenting on the direction of this team going forward......But I do expect some bad season since really the Steelers have been consistent winners since the early 1990s.....I'm hoping that isn't the case but its hard to maintain the kind of success the Steelers have enjoyed.....

Steelers "ways" running on fumes only.

Originally Posted by cmerrifield

I am confused why Cortez Allen is gone? He will be starting with Ike this year. Will Allen signed with Dallas. Now, with that being said, some of your assessments are too harsh, but ok. I still think we are improving our drafting as Tomlin is getting his feet wet. 2008 was a horrible draft, but lets see what happens this year. If the trend is going up, we will be fine.

I'll get torched for this but for me they started having major draft hiccups when they took a punter in the 4th round, to me that was a red flag!

Not only was taking a punter in the 4th bad (he never lived up to his hype and was mostly likely a product of juice to begin with, noting his college build and leg strength and subsequent injury riddled pro career) but taking Spaeth when the did was a real reach as well. The guy has been nothing but soft his whole career (and whoopie, we got him back) and their needs were screaming to bolster the O-line much more than adding a back up TE at that pick. I remember screaming we should have went O-line in bolster the 3rd and 4th rounds, instead of waiting until the 5th to go O-line on a guy who never did anything.

I agree with you; that draft was probably already a clear sign that they had lost their way. Why is Colbert so terrible at rounds after 1 and 2? You'd think he'd luck out in a few more picks.